Know the Symptoms of Whooping Cough

A bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. This vaccine-preventable illness can be life-threatening to young children and even the elderly. In its early stages, it looks like the common cold, but then it develops into unrelenting coughing spells that often interfere with breathing. Antibiotic treatment is only effective in preventing the later stages of the infection if it is started during the very early stages of the disease.

Pertussis Is Highly Contagious

Bordetella pertussis is considered an atypical bacterium that does not enter the bloodstream. It stays in the upper airways and interferes with the body's ability to clear airway secretions by infecting the cells needed for this function. It spreads easily from person to person and can often be mistaken for the common cold in the early phases of infection.

Contain Coughs

Immunization is the best way to prevent whooping cough. Other simple preventive measures include hand washing and "covering your cough," as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This simply means that if you are coughing and sneezing that you cough into your sleeve and not onto your hands. This is recommended as a way to prevent the flu, colds, and other respiratory illnesses.

Treat the Whole Family

The only sure way to prevent infection is through immunization; however, if you know you have been exposed to whooping cough and are likely to be infected, early treatment (within the first week) with the antibiotic erythromycin is effective in halting the progression of whooping cough. Erythromycin is also recommended as a way to prevent infection in those who have been in close contact with infected family members. While antibiotics started after the first couple of days of infection may not change the natural course of the illness, they should still be started to prevent the spread of whooping cough to others.

Don't Spread the Bacteria

Pertussis is extremely contagious. If you think you have the infection, notify your doctor as soon as possible. The quicker you get treatment, the better the chance of preventing whooping cough's progression and spread.

Vaccinate to Protect Your Baby

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable illness. Vaccination practices have decreased the deaths associated with whooping cough over the years. All infants, children, adolescents, and even adults need to ensure that they are vaccinated appropriately. Young children should receive five doses of vaccine between the 2 months and 4 years of age.

Boost Protection for Adolescents

Older children and adults should also receive a pertussis booster, even if fully immunized as an infant and child. The antibodies created after immunization become less effective within six to 10 years from the last dose. This recommendation was made after observing an increase in the number of severe cases of pertussis associated with exposure to infected and minimally symptomatic teenagers and adults.

Get Your Own Boosters

The Tdap vaccine is routinely recommended to all adults and is now given instead of the old tetanus booster that did not contain pertussis. Adults and adolescents usually have mild symptoms with pertussis infections but can often expose young infants and children who may not be completely protected by vaccination.

Remind Caregivers to Get Boosters

Though many vaccine-preventable illnesses are not seen very often today, if you do not routinely get your child appropriately vaccinated, the "herd" immunity from which we benefit will certainly disappear, and we will begin to see many of those serious childhood illnesses begin to reappear. This is the case with pertussis, measles, mumps, chickenpox, and many others.

THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the MedicineNet Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.